Condolences
I wanted to write a little note. I never realized how what you say to someone can affect their life. I was in seventh grade at Toms River Intermediate East when I met Mike. We were in the same class. He had such big eyes, that's what stood out to me. Not in a bad way, they were beautiful. He reminded me of Gumby. When I started calling him Gumby, I don't think he liked at first, but the name stuck. Now reading the messages on Facebook and how people continued to call him Gumby, makes me realize that you just don't know if what you say, even a simple nickname, will follow a person throughout their life. Mike, Rest in Peace. You will forever be my Gumby.
The Cummings family is deeply sorry for your loss. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
One day on the river Mike and I had stopped at the halfway mark and Mike decided to have a sandwich. I was not hungry and decided to play in the kayak and had got myself into a capsizing situation near a downed tree. Hanging on to the tree as the chilly current slowly filled up my boat I yelled over to Mike, " Dude help me out!" he replied "I'm almost done with my sandwich!" A few seconds later I fell in the drink then Mike came over to help me out. :)
From that moment on we had a memory forever. Everytime (which was quite often) I needed help with something and gave Mike a call, he would chuckle and say "I'm almost done with my Sandwich!"
Good times
You will be missed. God Bless you and your family!
We are extending our deepest sympathy for your family in your loss. And hoping, too, that comfort and peace may come to you all. Words can not express the sadness we feel. Ryan and I think the world of you all and wish we could be there to help support you through your tragic loss. Someone so special... ...can never be forgotten. Love and Hugs, Ryan, Patty, Auburn, Hannah, and Griffin Hudlow oxox
Our sympathy to Nicole and Oliver Louis, We know that words are not enough in an occasion like this but we wish the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, will comfort you according to His promise. Our prayer will be with you
Words cannot express the feeling of losing a great friend and how much you will be missed. I will never forget the wonderful times that we all had together whether it was just all of us hanging out together, canoeing trips along the Toms River, camping, and some just good all around fun. You always had a great sense for nature and came into tune with the great outdoors. You were always in good spirits and always willing to lend a helping hand when people were in need. My heart reaches out to the Simoes family. Sincerly, Shawn Mammen
I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. May the Lord comfort you. Heidi and Amanda Muti
We are all shocked by this sudden loss of a great friend and family member. I will always enjoy the times we had 4 wheeling, paddling, taking a hike through the woods, or just hanging around the house enjoying one anothers company. You were one interesting individual my friend. You will be missed. My Condolences to the Simoes family and friends. We love you and are here for you. Craig Impens
Dear Mike,BJ,Nicole& Christopher, We are so sorry to hear about your loss. There are no words to console you at this time. It's not the way it is supposed to be. There's an old Irish saying.... There are souls in this world who have the gift of finding joy everywhere and leaving it behind when they go. Michael was one of these people. Always remember the joy he bought to you both and he will always be in your hearts. Sincerly Bob & Dotti Meola
My deepest condolences to the Simoes family. Mike was a great guy to all who were lucky enough to know him. He will be missed.
Its hard to understand why people are taken from us, but find comfort in knowing you were always part of such a wonderful well-lived life you had with Michael. Memories are the Legacy of LOVE. Always know you are never alone.
My condolences to the family. My thoughts and prayers to all of you during this time.
I don't know if Mike's parents ever knew this one. A memory that always comes back to me about Mike is on a summer night while we were both teenagers but neither of us old enough to drive, one of the many misguided teenage "right of passages" was to throw a party in your home residence when the parents weren't around. On this night, my turn came to pass. Of course Mike was there as were many others as the attendance grew beyond what I could have ever expected. And as harmless as this is to concede/admit now, there was beer there. Mike had a few too many and asked if he could go upstairs from the basement where the festivities endured, and lay down on my bed. I said sure. At this point, I found myself running around crazily trying to make sure order was maintained while everyone else just seemed to be having a blast. Toward the end of the night my mission turned to "cover and conceal". My parents were aware that I would be having a party but of course did not know about the beer and whatever other alcohol was there. They returned home from their weekly bowling league which is what afforded the scheduling opportunity to begin with. I forgot Mike was in my room and at that point, out cold. I thought I had done a good job of hiding any evidence until my mother called me upstairs from the basement and bewilderingly asked me why Mike was passed out on my bed. In all my mastery of the events up to that point, the best line I could come up with in response was that Mike was around the pool table and during some mild horse play with the pool cues, a ball shot up off the table and hit him square in the forehead. My mother now worried said "Oh my God" and went up to check on him. She shook him gently on the shoulder to wake him up asking if he was OK. Mike started to "come to" and his response to my mother was 2 simple words.... "Sober! sober..." My mother figured it out from there.
I hope this brings a smile as it has often done so for me. Love you Mike.
I have such fond memories of Forge Pond outings when Mike would offer his experience to help me become a better paddler... I will never forget the one paddle where Mike was keeping pace with the slower pack of fitness paddlers, he was in a "sea kayak"....I am busting my balls to maintain pace when I look over at Mike and his sea kayak- and low and behold...he has a fishing rod and tackle in the boat! The guy was out to fish and just happened to have fun with the surfskis..... The epitome of an outdoorsman.... Ray and I were talking after we heard the news and I remember how much Mike wanted to perform well at the TR downriver race- Craig was always there to give Mike the competition and make for a spirited race! Deepest condolences to the Simoes family- and my heart felt sadness goes out to Craig- having lost a friend and a fellow paddler.... RIP Mike..... Scott Sucar Garden State Kayak Racing
A lifelong friend.... Mike was a major presence with me as a tried and true friend over many years. Even my wife who only had the pleasure of meeting him but a few times when he came to the house, will always remember a photo she has of him and my son Erik when he was a new-born. With love and respect, deepest sympathies to his family, friends and loved ones. Mike, you will be immensely missed..... you already are. Scott and Roxana Cavalcante
I'm shocked and saddened to hear of Mike's passing. It seems like just yesterday he was a little kid, playing with my nephew Richie. My prayers and condolences go out to his family and friends, especially his Mom BJ and his dad Mike. May God comfort you all in this time of grief.
It is so hard to try and find the words to express how sorry we are for your loss. Michael was such a wonderful guy and we feel so lucky that we got to know him, even if it was only on a few occasions. he lived his life to the fullest, and he was such an inspiration to us all. He will be so greatly missed, but to all of us that were blessed to get the chance to know him he will always live on in our hearts and memories. Our condolences and love to you all, The Longstreet Family
We were so sorry to hear about the loss of your son Mike. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. Love, Ellen & Greg
Dear BJ and Family, I am so sorry for your loss, please accept my condolences. Sincerely, Donna A Tyler
My deepest sympathies to you. I met Mike a year ago when George Glandz and I invited him out to dinner with us and our 6 month old son Preston. Mike showed up without his wallet on him and of course we paid for him. I thought, "Great, here is a guy who George hasn't seen in years (10 years I believe) and he shows up looking for a free meal." I stood corrected. He since then showed me that he was someone other than a person "looking" for a hand out, he showed me a true friendship and someone who would return the favor in so many ways. He touched me in such a way that my life will be forever changed. I can thank you, Mike's family for showing him the ways in how to be a "Real" human being and showing him amazing values and morals. I am very blessed to have met Mike and to have had him in my life for such a short while; something that can never be forgotten. I pray that you find peace and comfort knowing that he has touched many lives in so many ways. My Condolences, Megan Doyle
I can't begin to imagine this , I'm so sorry for your loss
Mike, BJ and Family, We were sorry to hear about the loss of Michael... I carry a heavy heart for all of your family... you are all in our prayers... Love from Barbera, Dan & Jamie
Dear Mike and family, We are so sorry for your loss. We will keep all of you in our prayers. Vicki Buda and family
To All of Mike's Family and Friends, I am deeply saddened by the loss of Mike. There are truly no words that can express how heavy my heart is for all of you right now. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy. I pray that your memories will give you strength and the love of those around you will comfort you during such a difficult time. With My Deepest Sympathy, Marcie
Grace and peace to Mike's parents, brother and sister and all of his cousins and friends at this difficult time. Mike will be sorely missed and remembered with much love.
Manny and Elizabeth, We're very sorry to hear about Mike. Our thoughts and prayers are with you both. Gene and Janet Tengelics
Norman Hoffner made a donation to Monmouth Council, Boy Scouts of America